Structures for use in erecting multistory buildings and methods for making such structures

Abstract

Disclosed are various construction techniques for erecting a multistory building with an elevator shaft. In accordance with the method, upper and lower shaft components are formed at an offsite facility. These shaft components are then joined together to form a segment of the larger elevator shaft. Once constructed, the segment is transported to a jobsite and erected. Once an individual segment is installed, a floor slab can be formed about the segment. Using pre-cast elevator segments simplifies and expedites the construction process. In one embodiment, each segment includes a serrated edge that facilitates a connection between the floor slab and the shaft segment. Rebar and reinforcing dowels can also be used to improve the connection. Associated shaft constructions are also disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular, pre-cast elevator shaft for use in constructing a multi-story building, the modular, pre-cast elevator shaft comprising:
 a lower, rectangular shaft component including four walls, an upper edge, and a lower edge, an opening formed within one of the walls, a series of pockets formed adjacent the upper edge, each pocket including a recessed surface and adjacent exposed surfaces, the lower, rectangular shaft component being pre-formed from reinforced concrete; 
 a series of hooked rebar segments, each hooked rebar segment including first and second ends, with the first end formed within the lower shaft component and the second end extending from one of the series of pockets; 
 an upper, rectangular shaft component including four walls, an upper edge, and a lower edge, an opening formed within one of the walls, the upper, rectangular shaft component being pre-formed from reinforced concrete; 
 an elevator shaft segment formed by joining the upper edge of the lower shaft component to the lower edge of the upper shaft component, reinforcing dowels extending between the upper and lower shaft components; 
 a series of stitch plates, each stitch plate having an upper extent connected to one of the walls of the upper shaft component and a lower extent connected to one of the exposed surfaces of the lower shaft component, the series of stitch plates functioning to securely connect the upper and lower shaft components; 
 a slab floor formed about the elevator shaft segment with the slab floor extending into the pockets of the lower shaft component and with the second ends of the hooked rebar segments extending into the slab floor. 
 
     
     
       2. An elevator shaft for use in constructing a multi-story building, the elevator shaft being formed from a series of elevator shaft segments, the elevator shaft comprising:
 a lower shaft component including walls, an upper edge, a lower edge, and a series of pockets formed along each of the walls, each pocket including a recessed surface and adjacent exposed surfaces; 
 an upper shaft component including walls, an upper edge, and a lower edge, the lower edge of the upper shaft component being joined to the upper edge of the lower shaft component to form one of the series of elevator shaft segments; 
 a slab floor formed about the elevator shaft segment with the slab floor extending into the pockets of the lower shaft component; 
 a series of hooked rebar segments, each hooked rebar segment including first and second ends, with the first end formed within the lower shaft component and the second end extending from one of the series of pockets and into the slab floor. 
 
     
     
       3. The elevator shaft as described in  claim 2  further comprising the upper and lower shaft components are pre-formed from reinforced concrete. 
     
     
       4. The elevator shaft as described in  claim 2  further comprising reinforcing dowels extend between the upper and lower shaft components. 
     
     
       5. The elevator shaft as described in  claim 2  further comprising a series of stitch plates, each stitch plate having an upper extent connected to one of the walls of the upper shaft component and a lower extent connected to one of the exposed surfaces of the lower shaft component, the series of stitch plates functioning to securely connect the upper and lower shaft components. 
     
     
       6. A method of constructing a multi-story building about an elevator shaft at a jobsite, the elevator shaft being formed from a series of shaft segments, with each shaft segment being formed at an offsite facility, the method comprising the following steps:
 forming a lower shaft component at the offsite facility from reinforced concrete, the lower shaft component including walls, an upper edge, a lower edge, and a series of pockets, with each pocket including recessed and exposed surfaces; 
 forming an upper shaft component at the offsite facility from reinforced concrete, the upper shaft component including walls, an upper edge and a lower edge; 
 joining the lower edge of the upper shaft component to the upper edge of the lower shat component, the joined shaft components constituting a shaft segment; 
 securing the shaft segment with a series of stitch plates, with each stitch plate secured between a wall of the upper shaft component and one of the exposed surfaces of the lower shaft component; 
 transporting the shaft segment to the jobsite and installing it as one of the series of segments forming the elevator shaft; 
 pouring a concrete floor slab about the shaft segment, with the poured concrete extending into and bonding with the series of pockets within the lower shaft component.